Pressing apparatus for footwear and the like



Oct. 13, 1953 B. w. MORRISON PRESSING APPARATUS FOR FOOTWEAR AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 13, 1953 B. w. MORRISON 2,654,901

PREssING APPARATUS FOR FOOTWEAR ANO THE LIKE Filed Jan. 28, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2 n Enzian ZZ/'ZZYDHEfsaz-z N If@ EMMA Tw Patented Oct. 13, 1953 PRESSING APPARATUS FOR FOOTWEAR AND THE LIKE Burton W. Morrison, Boxboro, Mass., assignor to The B. F. Goodrich Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January Z8, 1950, Serial No. 140,993

10 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for applying pressure to the assembled members of an article and pertains more particularly to apparatus in which expansible elastic members exert a desired pressure on assembled articles of footwear and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide pressing apparatus which will exert a desired uniform pressure on the surface of the assembled members of an article regardless of the configuration of the article.

Another object of this invention is to provide pressing apparatus having expansible elastic pressure exerting members which can be readily removed and replaced.

Still another object of this invention is to p-roviderpressing apparatus having expansible elasticmembers which will withstand the relatively sharp edge of the jack-receiving cavity in the last upon which the footwear is assembled, while at the same time being sutciently thin and iiexible to conform to theirregular shape of the footwear.

' A further object of this invention is to provide pressing apparatus having expansible elastic members which function without the necessity of rigidly securing the article in one particular position on said elastic members.

It is also an object of this invention to provide pressing apparatus having a pair of expancompassing an article placed therebetween when said expansi'ble elastic members are expanded.

Another object is to provide apparatus capable of pressing satisfactorily articles of footwear hav- 1, ing a Wide range of last sizes and shapes, without the necessity for any changes or adjustments in the apparatus.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the drawings and description which follow.

It has been customary in the construction of footwear, such as overshoes, boots, gaiters, and the like, in which numerous members are adhered together to form an integral unit, to press each member with a hand tool onto members previously assembled on a last forming a bond between the assembled members. Assembling footwear in this manner is tedious and time consuming andfrequently results in unsatisfactory adhesion betweenthe members in the finished article due to fatigue of the operator and tc an uneven pressure having been exerted on the various memfbersof the assembled article.

Several pressure exerting devices having expansible elastic members have been proposed, but

3U sible elastic members capable of completely eni have proven unsatisfactory in various respects: the edges of the form or last upon which the article isibuilt readily tear lor cut the expansible elastic members ofthe apparatus; the expansible elastic members are incapable of exerting the desired uniform pressure about the entire outer surface of the article; and it is necessary to secure 4the article rigidly in one particular position during the pressing operation, a step which is very time consuming and which increases greatly the cost of the pressing operation. Furthermore, the apparatus heretofore available has been capable of handling only a very limited range of sizes and shapes of footwear without the necessity for extensive changes and adjustments.

Pressure exerting apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a pair of relatively thin expansible elastic diaphragme7 secured to pressure chambers into which a fluid under pressure is forced when the apparatus is in an operating position to expand the diaphragms which completely encompass and exert a uniform pressure on`the entire outer surface of the article to be pressed. The article is merely placed between the diaphragms and is not rigidly secured in one particular position thereby requiring less care and fewer operations to be performed by the operator. The expansible elastic diaphragms are provided with reinforced areas to resist the relatively sharp marginal zones of a form or last upon which the article is assembled, eliminating the difficulties encountered heretofore with expansible elastic diaphragms which readily tore when the diaphragms were expanded in contact with-the marginal zones of a form or last` In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation partly broken away and in section of a pressing apparatus embodying this invention in the open position and a shoe on a last in position to be pressed;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation partly broken away and in section of the upper and lower pressure chambers of a, pressure exerting apparatus embodying this invention in a closed operating position and showing a shoe on a last being pressed between two expanded elastic diaphragms;

.Fig 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the construction of the diaphragm margin and a means for sealing the diaphragm to the pressure chamber; and Fig. 4 is a view in perspective partly broken away and in section of an expansible elastic diaphragm with lasted shoes in position for the pressing operation.

` The pressing apparatus comprises an upper pressure chamber I dened by side walls I I, II and upper wall l2 and having its lower face open. Upper wall I2 of pressure chamber IB is provided with a web of reinforcing ribs I3, I3 to strengthen the chamber. Supporting frame I5 consisting of front wall I5, rear wall I1, side walls. i8; I8 and base member I9 serves-to support upper pressure chamber I0 which is secured thereto in an inclined position by bolts I4, I 4.

Lower pressure chamber 2l!` havinga construction similar to pressure chamber I0 but'having its open face uppermost is mounted beneath pressure chamber Iii. A pivot'bracket-ZI which' secured to lower pressure chamber 2t@- pivots about pin 22 which is supported by bracket 23 secured to rear wall II of supporting frame I5 permitting lower pressure chamber to be rotated from the open horizontal position as Vshown in Fig. l to the closed position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. Frontwall loisupporting frame i5 terminates just below the upper-.face of. lower chamber 2e.' when it is.: ina horizontalposition to provide an access. opening in the fore partfof the apparatusv through. which articles to; be pressed may be introduced and withdrawn. An arcuate shield 24 vwhich is secured to lowerchame ber 2Q provides: a coverviior-the above-mentioned access opening when lower' chamber 20 is inA the closed position.

Relatively thin iiat exible expansible elastic i diaphragms 25', 28 are. disposed over the open faces of pressure chambers Iii, 2.5L Diaphragms 25, 25 as shown in Fig. 4 are constructed about metal frames 2, 21 which impart'the desired configuration to diaphragms 25,` 26 and. provide reinforcement for the marginal areasA 28; 23.. The diaphragme ar'e'constructed oi" a relatively thin iiexible elastic rubbery sheet, preferably of vulcanizednatural rubber such as. caoutchouc-and. the like, whose margins 28, 28 are. secured around frames 21, 2T as shown. in Fig. 3 and arefadhered tothe opposing face of rthe diaphragm.

Elastic reinforcing: membranes-HIJ, 3i) compris; ing a sheet of flexible-elasticv rubber-y' material, preferably a vulcanized natural rubber-such as caoutchouc andthe like; are disposed along two marginal zonesA of the outery faces of diaphragms 25, 26' in;v an opposingv face-to-face` relationship whenl chamber 2li-is in the closed position providing ar double' thickness of` elastic' material along the margins' of each diaphragm 25', 2E. However; reinforcing membranes 30, 3D should. be suliciently thin and 'exible topermit the dia'- phragms 25, 25 to conform'to"the1irregular"shape of an article placed therebetween. It is prefer-v able that membranes 30, 30 not-be-'adhered to diaphragms 25, 26, sothat the membranesimay readily be replaced if they become worn.

Straps 3|, 3l which are-securedftowebs-VI3, I3 and extend across the open faoesof chambers Ill, 2u provide means` foreholding diaphragms 25, 2c and'membranesk 30, 30' across the open iaces'of pressure chambers' I0', 2D. Straps 3I, 3| are easily removed permitting diaphragme 25, 26 and/or membranes 30, B'to bereadily replaced. Pressure sealing gaskets 32, 32 are iitted. into channels V33, 33 in upper. pressure chamber I0 and lower pressure chamber 29. to seal diaphragms 25, 25 to the pressure chambers.

Fittings 34, 34 as shown in Fig. l provide means through which air under'pressure is delivered to and removed from pressurechambers I0, 2i). It is necessary that hose 29 attached to, fittings 34, 34 leading tof lower chamber'20 beflexible to permit chamber 20 to move from the open to the closed operating position.

Guard 35 secured to chamber IB prevents the operators hands from being caught between diaphragms 25, 2G as the lower chamber 20 is closed;

The opposingmargins of` diaphragms 25, 28 do not form an air tight joint when the chambers Il), 2i! are in the closed position because of double tlncknesses of. rubbery material at the corners of frames21, 2T and because of straps 3l, 3|, so that air trapped between the opposing faces of diaphragms. 25,26" as chamber 20 moves to a ciosed'position is.- permitted to escape.

Lower-pressure chamber 20 is actuated from an open...to.a .closed position and returned to an open position by a pneumtic toggle lever system. Thetoggle system comprises toggle arm 36 which is secured to chamber Ziby pin 31 and to a second toggle arm 38 by` pin 39. Toggle armis. keyed to-shaft 4u. One end otconnectingarm 4I is likewise keyed to shaft 4I! andtherotherend is secured by' pir-1.42 to piston'which slidesincylinder 44. Connections 45, 45.l on cylinder 44 pro.- vide a means for admitting and removing compressed air from cylinder 44. Cylinder44is pivotally secured to pivot support 45- whichv in .turn is mounted on base memberl I9.

Pressurechambers I0; 2d. normally are.main. tained in an open position as shownin Fig. l. To illustrate the operation of the-pressing apparatus a shoe 41 constructed'oi numerous members assembled on a last 48 is placed on lower diaphragm 2i?, as shown in Fig. 4, with the heady of last 48 resting on a reinforcingf-membrane 3D. Compressed airis. admitted into cylinder 44 forcing. pistonv 43 upward activating thev-toggleflever system which causes thelower p ressure chamber 2B to pivot about pin 22 until chamber 20 is in a closed position, as shown inEigf. 2. When lower pressure chamberv 20 isf-in the. closed position compressed air is admitted into pressure cham.- bers I0, 20; expanding diaphragms 25, 2li-which cempletelyenvelop shoe41 and, exert a uniform pressure oncall: ofthe members. of .shoe 4'! forming a bond betweensad members.` After a desired time has elapsed duringwhich pressure is being exerted on vshoe 4T, the pressure iswreleased from pressure. chambersr i0, 2.0y permitting diaphragms 25, 25. to returnto a. generally flat .conguratioru Pressure-- is.` then. releasedfrom cylinder,- 44; and compressed airis. admitted' to the opposite end of piston143 forcing piston 43 downwardk urging chamber 2li to the open position.. Shoe 41 isremoved andv another. operation cycle may begin.

Forms, such as last 48 upon vwhich .articles are asembled, generally are provided with' a jack-re.- ceiving cavity y5!) which has relatively sharp edges tendingto cut or tear diaphragme,l 2.5, 26. Dia: phragms constructed in accordance with this. in vention having atleast. one reinforcing member against.v which. the head of la form is placedrare not asreadily cut orftorn, sincev the reinforcing members. provide additional resistance tov thecutting'tendenciesf of the formas-the diaphragms are expanded;

A pressing apparatus made in accordance with this invention is capable of pressing severalarticles in one operating cycle and is. usefulv in pressing articles of varying configurations and sizes..

A pressing apparatus constructed inaccord.- ance withthis invention applies aA uniformpresfsure upon the entire.outerisurfacespof thefarticle whichbonds all of thefadherent-surfaces .together forming an integral article having uniform un' broken bonded members.

It is clear that obvious variations and modifica tions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A pressing apparatus for pressing irregularly-shaped articles which comprises a pair of rigid open faced pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted for movement to and from the other with their open faces opposed, a normally flat thin exible expansible elastic diaphragm disposed across the open face of each said chamber, at least one relatively thin flexible expansible elastic reinforcing membrane disposed across a restricted zone of the outer pressing face of each said diaphragm, said reinforcing membranes being in opposed mating relationship when said chambers are in face-toface relationship, means for moving said cham-l bers toward and from a position in which said diaphragms are pressed together along their margns, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said chambers While said diaphragms are opposed to press said diaphragms toward each other and about said article disposed therebetween.

2. A pressing apparatus for pressing irregularly-Shaped articles which comprises a pair of rigid open faced pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted for movement to and from the other with their open faces opposed, a normally flat thin flexible expansible elastic diaphragm disposed across the open face of each said chamber, a pair of relatively narrow thin flexible expansible reinforcing membranes disposed across spaced parallel zones of the outer face of one of said diaphragms, corresponding membranes disposed across corresponding zones of said second diaphram, means for moving said chambers toward and from a position in which said diaphragms are pressed together along their margins, and means for introducing a iiuid under pressure into said chambers while said margins are opposed to press said diaphragms toward each other and about said article disposed therebetween.

3. A pressing apparatus for pressing irregularly-shaped articles which comprises a pair of rigid open-faced pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted for movement to and from the other with their open faces opposed, a normally flat thin flexible expansible elastic diaphragm disposed across the open face of each said chamber, at least one relatively thin flexible expansible elastic reinforcing membrane disposed across a restricted zone of the outer pressing face of each said diaphragm and detachably secured thereto, said reinforcing membranes being in opposed mating relationship when said chambers are in face-to-face relationship, means for moving said chambers toward and from a position in which said diaphragms are pressed to gether along their margins, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said chambers while said diaphragms are opposed to press said diaphragms toward each other and about said `article disposed therebetween.

4. A pressing apparatus for pressing irregularly-shaped articles which comprises a pair of rigid open-faced pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted for movement to and from the other with their open faces opposed, a normally at thin flexible expansible elastic diaphragm disposed across the open face of each said chamber, a pair of relatively narrow thin flexible expansible reinforcing membranes disposed across spaced parallel zones of the outer face of one of said diaphragms and detachably secured thereto by mechanical means, corresponding membranes disposed across corresponding Zones of said second diaphragm and detachably secured thereto by mechanical means, means for moving said chambers toward and from a position in which said diaphragms are pressed together along their margins, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said chambers while said margins are opposed to press said diaphragms toward each other and about said article disposed therebetween.

5. A pressing apparatus for pressing articles which comprises an upper pressure chamber having an open bottom face, said chamber being rigidly secured in an inclined position, a, lower pressure chamber having an open top face mating with the open face of said upper chamber, said lower chamber being pivotally mounted for rotational movement about an axis adjacent the lowermost portion of said inclined upper cham- "0er to and from an open position in which the open face of said lower chamber is substantially horizontal and a closed position in which the open faces of said chambers `are in substantially parallel opposing relationship, a compressible sealing means disposed along the extent of the margin of each said open face, a normally fiat thin flexible expansible elastic diaphragm disposed over the open face of each said chamber with the margin of said diaphragm overlying said sealing means, at least one relatively thin ilexible expansible elastic reinforcing member disposed across a restricted zone of the outer pressing face of each' said diaphragm, means for rotatably moving said lower chamber to and from said open and closed position, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said chambers while said chambers are in the closed position to press said diaphragms toward each other and to stretch them about the entire outer face of said article disposed therebetween.

6. Pressing apparatus adapted vto press irregularly-shaped articles which comprises a pair of rigid open-faced pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted for movement to and from the other with their open faces opposed, a compressible sealing means disposed along the extent of the margin of each said open face, a normally fiat 'thin flexible expansible elastic diaphragm disposed over the open face of each said chamber with the margin of said diaphragm overlying said sealing means, at least one relatively thin flexible expansible elastic reinforcing membrane disposed across a restricted zone of the outer pressing face of each said diaphragm, means for moving said chambers toward and from a position in which said diaphragms are pressed together along their margins, and means for introducing a iiuid under pressure into said chambers while said diaphragms are opposed to press said diaphragms toward each other and closely about said irregularly-shaped article disposed therebetween.

7. Pressing apparatus adapted to press irregularly-shaped articles which comprises a pair of rigid open-faced pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted for movement to and from the other with their open faces opposed, a compressible sealing means disposed along the extent of the margin of each said open face, a

normally flat-#thinl flexible expansibleelastc diaphragm disposed overA the fopeuface of .eachsaid chamber. with the. marginY of said diaphragm overlying said sealing means,` a pair of relatively narrow thin flexible: expansible'elasftic. reinforcing membranes `disposed. across spaced parallel zones of .the outer. face of one of said, diaphragms, corresponding membranes disposed across corresponding zonesof saidsecond diaphragm, means for moving said chambers tov/ard. and from a positionin which said diaphragme are pressed together along their margins, and means for introducing a .fluid under. pressure into said chambers ,Whilesaidmarginsare opposed to press said dlaphragms toward each otherandclosely about said irregularly-shaped article disposed therebetween.

8. Pressing apparatus adapted tov press irregularly-shapedarticles which comprises a pair of rigidiopen-faced. pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted'for movement to and from the other with their open faces opgposed, compressible. sealing means disposed along the extent of the margin of each saidl open face, a normally dat thin iiexible expansible elastic diaphragm disposed over the open faceof each said chamber with the margin of said diaphragm overlying said sealing means, at least one relatively thin flexible expansible elastic reinforcing membranev disposed acrossa restricted zone of the outer pressingface of each said diaphragm, and detachably secured thereto, said reinforcing membranes being in opposed mating relationship when said chambers arev in iace-to-face relationship, means for-moving said chambers toward and from. a position in which said diaphragms are pressed together along their margins, and means for introducing a. duid under pressure into said chambers while said diaphragme are opposed to press: said diaphragme toward each other and closely about said irregularly-shaped article disposed therebetween.

9. Pressing apparatus adaptedto press irregularly-shaped. articles. which comprises a pair. of rigid open-faced pressure chambers, at least one of said chambers being mounted for movement 'to and from the other with their. open faces opposed, a compressible sealing means disposed along the extent of the margin of each said open face, a normally flat thin flexible expansible elastic diaphragm .disposed across the open. face ,of each said chamber, withthe margin o said dia,- phragmoyerlying said sealing means, a paire-f relatively narrow thin flexible. expansible. reinforcing membranes disposed. across spaced. paralphragms and detachably secured ftheretofby mechanicalmeans, corresponding; membranes disposed across.correspondingzones of said. second diaphragmiand detachably secured thereto by mechanical means, means for moving said chambers toward and from a position in which said diaphragmsare pressed together along their marginsf, and means for introducing a duid-.under pressure. into. said chambers while said margins are opposed to press said: diaphragme toward each other-and about said article disposed therebetween.

10. Apress-ing apparatus .for pressingV articles which comprises an upperpressurechamber having anopen bottomY face, said chamber being rigidly seouredin an inclinedposition, a lower pressure chamber having an open top face mating with the open'face of saidupper chamber, said lower. chamber being pivotallyl mounted for rotational vmovement about anaxis adjacent the lowermost portion of said inclinedupper chamber to .and from an open .position in which the open face of said lower chamber is substantially horizontal anda closed. positionin. which the open faces of .said chambers are in substantially parallel opposingl relationship, av normally at thin flexible expansible elastic diaphragm. disposed over. the open.` face of each said chamber, at least one relatively-thin flexible. expansible. elastic reinforcing member disposedacross arestrieted zone of the outer pressingface of-each said diaphragm, means. for rotatably moving said lower chamber to -andirom saidv open `andclosed position, and means.. for. introducing a fluid under pressure into said chambers while saidchambers are in the closed position'to press said diaphragme toward each other andto stretch them about the entire outer face. of,.said.articlefdisposed therebetween.

BURTON W. MORRISON.

`References Citedin the leof this patent UNITEDv STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 280,745 Hyatt July 3, 1883 1,732,023 Lytlel Oct. l5, 1929 1,733,692 Perrault et al; .Oct. 29, 1929 1,872,693 Drake Aug. 23, 1932 1,914,392 Worrall June 20, 1933 1,934,772 Sherts Nov. 14, 1933 2,101,508 Prya-leet al.. Dec. 7, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number. Country Date.

14,435 Great Britain of; 1899 

